Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is a concept widely recognized in the international community as a way to realize sustainable use of water resources. According to the Global Water Partnership (GWP), IWRM is defined as “a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems” (GWP-TAC 2000). The GWP notes that lack of integrated water resources management is the underlying reason for unsuccessful water resources management and advocates integrated management of natural and socioeconomic systems, combined with integrated management of each element of these systems. IWRM is a comprehensive philosophy that takes the full scope of aspects related to water resources into consideration.